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Beethoven & Mahler, Perth Concert Hall - November 2015

24/11/2015

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My host in Perth decided I needed some culture before I head to Four Seasons Bali and so took me to a Beethoven & Mahler concert at the Perth Concert Hall last night.


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Lung King Heen, Hong Kong - November 2015 - the best Chinese restaurant in the world?

23/11/2015

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Lung King Heen is the first Chinese restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars and was the Four Seasons restaurant Mr Sharp told me I must eat in.  I knew this would be an epic dinner.


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Four Seasons, Hong Kong - November 2015

23/11/2015

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As soon as Christoph, former General Manager of the New York Four Seasons, said he was moving to Hong Kong, I vowed to stay at his new hotel.  Then I had coffee with Mr Sharp (Founder of Four Seasons) at his Toronto home and he mentioned that I must stay at Four Seasons Hong Kong, to try food from the only Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong to be awarded three Michelin stars. On my way to Four Seasons Bali the chance to stay at the hotel came up and I had very high expectations.
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The Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong - November 2015

21/11/2015

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It had always been my dream to visit the Hong Kong Peninsula, with its ‘Peninsula green’ Rolls-Royces, since I saw the Bond movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’.  On my previous two trips to Hong Kong my friends and colleagues had thwarted this, saying this Kowloon hotel was too far from Central.  Four Seasons staff had told me The Peninsula was the place to have afternoon tea in Hong Kong but not a good place to stay.
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Jason Atherton's Aberdeen Street Social, Hong Kong - November 2015

19/11/2015

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What a night in Hong Kong last night.  It ended looking at this incredible view from another ex-Qatar friend’s apartment.  A perfect end to a night to remember. 

​The purpose of this post is to recommend Jason Atherton’s Aberdeen Street Social restaurant, where I started the evening.  One of the best meals of my life.


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Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong  - November 2015

17/11/2015

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Having stayed at the Oriental in Bangkok, I could not come to Hong Kong without a quick visit to the Mandarin.  I was surprised to find the 1960s style lobby unchanged since my last visit more than 10 years before, when I came to Hong Kong on a business trip from Bermuda.


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Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok - November 2015

15/11/2015

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I was nervous that my second stay at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok might not live up to the first.  However, as soon as I got into the BMW Series 7, was handed freezing cold towels and the classical music was put on I knew I was completely wrong.

At the hotel I was handed a flower garland before I entered the doors and welcomed back with genuine warmth.  I was taken up to my suite to check in, staff on the way said “welcome back Kuhn Simon” with cheerful enthusiasm. I was back at my Bangkok home.


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Vive La France

15/11/2015

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VIP Boat Trip to ‘James Bond Island’ (Khao Phing Kan) in Thailand - Phuket November 2015

14/11/2015

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I had generally been unimpressed with Phuket and decided to book a trip to see ‘James Bond Island’ on a VIP trip.  I was so pleased that I did.  Seeing the awesome nature beauty of the islands around Phuket, with a small group of great people (eg two brilliant Canadian girls, a very sweet young Japanese couple etc) changed my perception of this area of Thailand.
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#ALSicebucketchallenge: Si Frew in person 

13/11/2015

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After all my London team's talk of Vlogs,  I thought my readers might enjoy watching this #ALSicebucketchallenge video of me.  It was made at Four Seasons Doha last year. Happy Friday all!!!

#ALSicebucketchallenge - thanks for the nomination Robert and good luck to Leanne - I challenge Matthew, John and Nick next. Thanks to Vishal and his team at the Four Seasons for their enthusiasm setting this up!

Posted by Simon Frew on Sunday, 24 August 2014
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Four Seasons Koh Samui — November 2015

13/11/2015

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I was last in Koh Samui in the 1980s, staying in a hut on Big Buddha Beach, before Four Seasons, Banyan Tree etc arrived on this tropical paradise and it had always been a dream to return. The Four Seasons Mercedes was waiting for me at the airport with flower garlands and they had sparkling wine for me and juice, and a baby seat, for Issy.


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11/11/11 - We Must Never Forget

12/11/2015

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Business Class Flight with Bangkok Airways from Bangkok to Koh Samui - November 2015

8/11/2015

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I got a taxi to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport for a third time on this trip.  It was a ‘TB free’ taxi but I am not sure that justified the 600 Baht charged this time.  At check in there was a teddy bear on the counter, which ‘we’ took as a good omen.


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Dinner at The Royal Bangkok Polo Club - November 2015

6/11/2015

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I was honoured to be invited to the ‘Members Only’ Royal Bangkok Polo Club (part of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (‘RBSC’)) for dinner.  This is the most exclusive sports facility in Bangkok and has links to King Rama VI.
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Tour, Facial & Lunch at the Okura Prestige hotel, Bangkok - November 2015

5/11/2015

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I decided I wanted to experience a bit of Japan in Bangkok and what better way than a visit to the Okura Prestige hotel.  It is said to be one of the best hotels in Bangkok. Okura hotels are to Japan, what the Mandarin Oriental is to Hong Kong.


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Halloween 2015 & Foam Parties

4/11/2015

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Halloween is taken extremely seriously here in Bangkok with elaborate makeup, costumes and pool & foam parties.  



  


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The Perfect Very Dry Martini in Bangkok

2/11/2015

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If you want a perfect very dry Grey Goose martini head to the 9th floor of the Sofitel So in Bangkok.  

Here you have stunning views over Lumpini Park, while being served by staff in Christian Lacroix uniforms.





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    The Authors

    Si Frew has lived in the UK, Bermuda, Qatar, Cyprus & the Cayman Islands. During this time he met Whoopi Goldberg (in Claridge's), Mike Tyson (in the Concorde Lounge at JFK) , Gordon Ramsay (in the Doha Four Seasons), Chris Eubanks (in The Dorchester), Cherie Blair (in Bermuda & again in the Doha Four Seasons) etc.  There are funny stories attached to all these interactions, feel free to ask Si about them when you meet him.

    Simon is a banker. He lives in The Barbican in London.  

    He loves Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Dorchester and Veuve Clicquot.

    Issy
    Issy is a Beanie Baby who was a gift from the Founder of Four Seasons' office.  He  is Simon's regular travelling companion & confidant.  
    ​
    He experiences luxury in life and little else.  It is Issy who guides Si through some of his more entertaining adventures.

    Issy dictates and never types.

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